Lexington

Behind white and black wooden fences, the world's most valuable racehorses graze on rolling hills – hundreds of horse farms surround Lexington. A trip to Lexington takes you to the "Horse Capital of the World" in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region, where horse racing, bourbon and college basketball set the rhythm.

The History of a Horse Town

Lexington was founded in 1775 and named after the site of the first battles of the Revolutionary War in Massachusetts. The city soon developed into a center of education and trade, earning the nickname "Athens of the West." The region's limestone soil grows especially nutritious grass and yields calcium-rich water – ideal for breeding horses as well as for making whiskey. The politician Henry Clay lived here; his estate, Ashland, is now a museum, as is the childhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln downtown.

Sights in Lexington

Keeneland, the elegant racetrack dating from 1936, opens for its race meets in April and October; outside the season, you can watch the horses train in the morning. The Kentucky Horse Park north of the city showcases horse breeds from around the world, a large horse museum and the graves of famous champions. Many horse farms offer tours where you can meet former race winners. In the Central Business District, the arts district around the Lexington History Museum in the old courthouse is worth a visit, and in the University of Kentucky's campus area, the arboretum invites you to take a stroll. At Rupp Arena, fans cheer on the Kentucky Wildcats, one of the most successful teams in college basketball.

Eating in Lexington: Hot Brown and Bourbon

Kentucky cuisine means fried chicken, biscuits, burgoo stew and the Hot Brown, an open-faced baked turkey sandwich with bacon and cheese sauce. In the Distillery District, a former industrial area west of downtown, distilleries, breweries and restaurants have moved in. The city is also a starting point for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail; distilleries such as Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace and Four Roses are less than an hour's drive away. In the evening, people gather in the bars around Short Street and Main Street.

Racing Season and Horse Experiences

If you visit Lexington during racing season, you'll see Keeneland at its best: picnics in the parking lot, hats, bourbon and bets placed at the windows. In the morning, you can watch the horses train and have breakfast at the Track Kitchen alongside jockeys and trainers. The Kentucky Horse Park hosts major equestrian competitions, including a top-level three-day eventing competition in the spring. Around the city, horse farms offer tours, and Old Friends in Georgetown is a retirement home for former racehorses. Harness races are held at the historic track The Red Mile.

Getting Around Lexington and the Best Time to Visit

Blue Grass Airport sits directly across from Keeneland and is served via hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago; Louisville and Cincinnati are about an hour and a half away. Lextran buses serve the city, but to reach the horse farms and distilleries you'll need a car or a guided tour. Lexington is at its loveliest in spring, when the racing season begins, the dogwoods bloom and the Kentucky Derby in Louisville beckons in early May, as well as in fall, with colorful foliage and races at Keeneland. Day trips lead to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and to Red River Gorge with its sandstone arches.